Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wellington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
27 June 2024
#cats
[FYI request #27086 email]
Our ref: OIA 112905
Tēnā koe
Official Information Act request: Gang management policy
Thank you for your email of 31 May 2024, in which you request information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act). Specifically, you’ve requested:
Documents detailing the policy on banning gang patches in public places.
Assessments or evaluations of the effectiveness of this policy since its implementation.
Data on the number of dispersal notices issued under this policy and their outcomes.
Information on the criteria and procedures used to issue dispersal notices.
Any reports or studies on the impact of the gang patch ban on gang-related crime
rates and community safety.
Feedback or complaints received from the public or affected parties regarding the
implementation of this policy.
Comparative analysis, if available, of similar policies implemented in other countries
and their outcomes.
Your request for policy documents is being interpreted as referring to the Gangs Legislation
Amendment Bill (the Bill).
The Bill has not been passed by Parliament, so it is not yet in effect, therefore your request
for assessments, evaluations or data is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as the
information does not exist.
You have also asked for documents detailing the policy and information on dispersal notices.
This part of your request is refused under section 18(d) of the Act, as the information you’ve
requested is publicly available within proactively released Cabinet papers. These papers can
be found at: justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/Gangs-Legislation-Amendment-
Bill-v2.pdf
Your request for reports or studies on impacts and any comparative analysis is refused under
section 18(d) of the Act, as this information is also publicly available. The information you seek
is contained in the Regulatory Impact Statement, Responding to Gang Harms, found at:
justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/RIS_Responding-to-Gang-Harms_ FINAL.pdf
Finally, your request for feedback or complaints received is refused under section 18(d) of
the Act, as the information requested will soon be made publicly available in the
Departmental Report, which will also be published on Parliament’s website.
If you require any further information, please contact Media & Social Media Manager Joe
Locke at [email address].
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on
the Ministry website at: justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/oia-responses/.
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to
the Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman may be
contacted by email to [email address] or by phone on 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Lison Harris
General Manager, Criminal Law (Acting)
